David and Merelyn Carter are celebrating 20 years at the forefront of Australia’s country music scene. The couple runs a music business from their property north of Melbourne.
“We actually live on a farm up at Kinglake, and our latest song we have released ‘We Are Family’ has a lot of footage from on our farm and we like it because it involves all our family,” singer Merelyn Carter explained to Small Business Secrets.
However, like most people working in the arts, this multi-awarded musical team’s income was hit hard by coronavirus restrictions, which prevented crowds attending live performances.
“Around $90,000 worth of work went out the window in the week the restrictions came in,” singer and guitarist David Carter said.
“We had a big tour starting in a few weeks and that was impacted and 15 people from that tour have lost their work.”
However, the couple has received a government grant that helped to grow their business online.
“We are very lucky that the Victorian government, through Business Victoria, provided a $10,000 grant.
“And we were able to get it early, and that has helped us to adapt and survive this environment,” David Carter explained.
“It really took the stress off,” Merelyn Carter added.
As part of a $1.7 billion economic survival and jobs package, the Victorian government is also offering full payroll tax refunds for this financial year for businesses with a payroll between $650,000 and less than $3 million.
The package also includes rent relief in government buildings, deferment of land tax payments, and the payment of outstanding supplier invoices. Plus, some liquor licencing fees will also be waived.
There’s a $500 million Working for Victoria fund for people who have lost their jobs. And a Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme to alleviate financial hardship faced by tenants and landlords as a result of coronavirus . For details visit https://www.business.vic.gov.au/
“Business Victoria is a great resource and the name says it all. You can call or go online and find lots of information.
“Just get in there and ask questions and find out what to do to keep going,” Merelyn Carter said.
Helping farmers and businesses recover from the impacts of Australia’s ‘Black Summer’ fires is another focus.
In Victoria alone, more than one-point-two million hectares were razed in the fires including vast areas of farm land.
The fires also destroyed crops valued at millions of dollars, farm machinery and fencing, and more than 300 homes.
Business Recovery Advisor Jane Leslie is based in Bairnsdale and works with a new and permanent agency, set up to support Victoria’s fire impacted communities.
“The bush fire event this year has been quite extraordinary,” Ms Leslie explained.
“The extent and the duration of the fire itself was probably unprecedented, and so what we've seen is extensive destruction.
“And that brings a lot of trauma and a lot of distress to a local community.”
To help fire victims recover, the Victorian government is offering a $10,000 small business bushfire support grant to directly or indirectly affected small businesses and primary producers in Toowong, East Gippsland and Alpine shires.
“Other assistance includes a farm recovery grant of up to $75,000 as well as a business recovery grant of up to $50,000.
Some businesses will need low interest loans to get back on their feet.
“Concessional loans of up to $500,000 are available to assist those who have suffered significant damage to their assets and or significant loss of income,” Ms Leslie explained.
This year many tourist towns have also suffered, as first fire restrictions and then travel bans cut visitor numbers.
“We are working really closely with Destination Gippsland, which is the peak tourism body. And we are looking at ways to bring visitors back to the region when it's safe to do so,” Ms Leslie added.
Business Victoria is also offering free digital workshops, to help small businesses pivot during the pandemic.
“Business Victoria, in partnership with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is delivering online workshops in regional and rural Victoria,” Daniele Lima explained.
Mr Lima is a digital marketing strategist running his own business, Road Scholars Training.
His digital workshops provide small businesses with practical actions and tips on how to make the most of the digital economy and reduce the cybersecurity risks they face.
“This is critical in the current climate where many businesses are only now starting to adapt to online service delivery,” Mr Lima explained.
He said the impacts of coronavirus have hit small business hard and the battle is far from over.
“I've been in this caper for 30 years and I've never seen anything that remotely resembles this.
“It really an unparalleled shift in the economy, in employment, and in every indicator. We are seeing seismic shifts and we need to respond with really lateral thinking.
“Most small businesses are struggling and what they want to know is what do they have to do right now to survive, to get over the hump?
“And it’s the same answer as to what they need to do to thrive in the longer term, which is seriously to differentiate themselves from competition.
“The smarter will survive, and those people with a more profound understanding of the customer's true needs and specifically their unmet needs,” Mr Lima explained.
“Those people will have an edge and they're not only going to survive in the longer term, they'll thrive.
Sponsored content
Get the guidance, services and skills you need to successfully start, run and transform your business. Find out more at https://business.vic.gov.au/.
Sharing business secrets of inspiring entrepreneurs & tips on starting up in Australia's diverse small business sector. Read more about Small Business Secrets
Have a story or comment? Contact Us
